I really think a level of swordsage is better for the rogue than any of these. Compare:Nifft said:To be fair, one to four levels of Barbarian, Ranger or even Fighter are just as good for a Rogue (relative to Rog20). No Rogue with a positive Int bonus would ever take level 20 if he could take a level of Barbarian, Fighter or Ranger instead. Levels 13, 16 and 19 are perfect exit points. Especially 13 and 16, so he can have BAB +16 at level 20.
Rage 1x/day, +10' movement
or 1 bonus feat
or favored enemy, track and animal empathy
or
Constant Island of blades (pretty good all it’s own)
4 of Rapid counter, Emerald razor, Burning Blade, shadow Stride, cloak of deception, and Mountain Hammer once per encounter. Shadow stride is better than the movement bonus imo. Emerald razor is useful against a creature with a high armor bonus. Burning blade for extra damage vs. a non-fire resistant foe, cloak of deception can set up another round of sneak attacks or as an escape if you are caught out in the open and don't have shadow stride available. Rapid counter gives you access to emerald razor and can be useful if your flanked opponent provokes and AoO. Mountain hammer is useful if you are fighting a DR creature that is immune to sneak or for some reason you aren't flanking or fighting a flat footed DR opponent. He gains a +2 to will saves. Loses out on fort saves however. Still, I would argue the sheer versatility is much better. And that is what martial adepts have over even a good class like the rogue. Well, until he gets hit by that disintegration spell. Thinking about it he did take mind over body as a feat earlier in his career (and pumped some ranks into concentration of course). Still the maneuvers just make him better. Definitely better than a fighter level. You can only get a single maneuver for a feat. Rangers have similar skills so that's good i guess but the maneuvers are better than the ranger abilities. And really I'm less worried about that 23rd rank. The barbarian good and is the only one of the three that has something on the ss imo. Not enough however. Anyway, agree to disagree. I've taken up enough of your thread with this.